MS Dhoni optimistic substitutes would deliver in one-day series

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni sees no point in whining about how injury-ravaged his side is and oozed confidence that substitute players would come to the party in the ODI series against South Africa starting here tomorrow.

Dhoni conceded the team would miss the likes of Zaheer Khan (leg), Gautam Gambhir (groin) and Yuvraj Singh (wrist) through injury and Harbhajan Singh because of his sister's marriage but asserted the substitutes have it in them to deliver the goods.

"The confidence of the team is good. As far as missing a few players is concerned, we are missing some player or the other in every series," Dhoni said after the team's net session at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

"I think it is a good opportunity for young players to prove that they belong to the international level. Besides, it also gives you the chance to test your bench strength," he said.

"We will see whatever the best combination we can pick according to the situation and the wicket. We will miss a few players but whatever players we have in the team, they all have done well whenever given a chance. I don't think it should be a big worry and whoever gets a chance will do well," Dhoni said.